Teaching English as a Foreign Langauge - TEFL

Who is this course for:
This course is designed for graduates who have completed a primary degree and are interested in a career in teaching English as a foreign language. Interested participants can take the Postgraduate Certificate and then proceed to the Postgraduate Diploma.

Course Profile
Aim
The aim of the one year Certificate course is to provide initial training and specialised knowledge and skills needed for graduates who wish to teach English as a foreign language. The Diploma (year two) builds on the Certificate course to provide with a range of competences aimed at extending teachers knowledge and practice.

Content
Certificate course content includes basic teaching skills, teaching practice, language analysis, theories and approaches to language teaching, English as a foreign language methodology, grammar presentation, syllabus design, testing, evaluation and introduction to linguistics. Other content includes English for special purposes, portfolio preparation, microteaching, teaching young learners, assessment of young learners, teaching adults, multicultural education, modern developments in English as a foreign language and teaching overseas.

Diploma course encompasses knowledge of applied linguistics, methodology, syllabus design and applied language communicative processes to enable effective integration of theory and practice in advanced TEFL teaching contexts. Students will focus on language learners of all ages in the EFL classroom, apply transferable teaching and language skills and engage with current issues and trends in the practice of TEFL. The course also focuses on managing the education and language learning environment through development and design of assessment materials, a business plan and webpage. These skills will help learners to develop the competence needed to practically respond to the professional career of TEFL.

Entry requirements

Candidates must:
 have a primary degree
 be proficient in the English language

Duration

Number of credits

30 (Certificate), 60 (Diploma).

Careers or further progression

Opportunities arise for graduates for positions in Ireland and abroad as teachers of English as a foreign language. Successful completion of this course enables graduates to proceed to the postgraduate Diploma in TEFL at NUI Galway.